6. Tom Doherty

Tom Doherty joined QPR for an undisclosed fee from Bristol City in June 2005 and enjoyed a mixed first season at Loftus Road.

Doherty had been a long-term target of Ian Holloway after Rangers had twice failed to grab the player before finally getting his man. The Northern Ireland international arrived for an undisclosed fee after a disappointing season for Bristol City.

He impressed the QPR fans during pre season but questions were raised over his discipline as he was almost sent off in two pre season games and Ian Holloway was told to take him off in another one.

His debut was quiet one as he sat in midfield again Hull and his range of passing was good to watch. He really caught the eye though in the win over Ipswich a few days later. His passing and vision was a class above anything we'd seen at Loftus Road for some time. He got forward, created chances and looked like the midfield playmaker we'd been crying out for. He was also very strong in the tackle and not one to shirk a challenge.

In his third match he picked up an early knock, which was the start of a stop start season for him. He returned for the draw with Sheffield Wednesday and his performance helped win him August player of the month award on this web site.
Things didn't go well when in September though. A disappointing performance against Luton was capped with a deserved red card after he threw a punch during the 1-1 draw.

His three game ban made it difficult for him to get back in the side as the team picked up a first away win of the season.

He was back in October though and played is part in n excellent win over Norwich where Doherty again showed what a quality player he can be. When he sits in midfield and lets his passing do the talking rather than is fists he looked a class act.

Sadly that kind of performance was all too rare and his lack of pace saw him made to look very poor in defeats against Watford and Plymouth. It was in the Plymouth game that he suffered a broken leg that virtually ended his season.

As he returned to fitness in January he was made available to leave Loftus Road and went on loan to Yeovil where he picked up another injury, which ended his season.

Doherty is a player with ability but all too often his lack of pace and lack of discipline let him down and it's no surprise he has been placed on the transfer list.

It's a shame because as I say he has the ability to perform in this division but for various reasons he hasn't done it often enough and his alleged off field problems have probably made the managers mind up about the former Northern Ireland international.

Doherty was sent on loan to Wycombe at the start of the season and he had done well for them looking impressive against Chelsea in the Carling Cup but his QPR career appears to be over.